Cognitive bias in rats is not influenced by oxytocin

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Abstract

The effect of oxytocin on cognitive bias was investigated in rats in a modified conditioned
place preference paradigm. Fifteen male rats were trained to discriminate between
two different cue combinations, one paired with palatable foods (reward training), and
the other paired with unpalatable food (aversive training). Next, their reactions to two
ambiguous cue combinations were evaluated and their latency to contact the goal pot
recorded. Rats were injected with either oxytocin (OT) or saline with the prediction that
rats administered OT would display a shorter average latency to approach on ambiguous
trials. There was no significant difference between latencies to approach on ambiguous
trials compared to reward trials, but the rats were significantly slower on the aversive
compared to the ambiguous conditions. Oxytocin did not affect approach time; however,
it was unclear, after follow-up testing, whether the OT doses tested were sufficient
to produce the desired effects on cognitive bias. Future research should consider this
possibility.